Colts' Jack Doyle named a fantasy player to avoid in 2018

Even without quarterback Andrew Luck under center in 2017, Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle was able to finish the campaign as a top 10 player at his position in fantasy football.

Though he wasn’t flashy and rarely had a game that would carry a fantasy team to victory, he was a steady asset that always had some contribution one way or another.

Entering 2018, though, Doyle was listed as a fantasy player to avoid in 2018 by Marcas Grant of NFL.com, largely due to the team’s addition of Eric Ebron in free agency.

I’m going to try and make the case against Jack Doyle without using the words Andrew Luck. Crap. I just did. Seriously though, Doyle’s production wasn’t hindered at all playing with Jacoby Brissett, so the quarterback matters little here. What does matter is that Eric Ebron is threatening to rummage around in Doyle’s fridge and eat his food.

Last year, Doyle was a top 10 tight end in both standard and PPR formats with Ebron sitting just outside that range in both formats. Of course, that was when they were playing on different squads and not battling each other for targets. If there’s an upside it’s that the Colts are still auditioning pass-catchers to support T.Y. Hilton. With Indy able to easily part ways with either (or both) players after the season, there’s a chance for a legitimate competition between the two. It just seems highly unlikely that there’s room for two top 10 tight ends in this currently nebulous offense.

Rarely ever is there an offense that can hold the weight of two top 10 tight ends while also having a deep threat like Hilton see the necessary volume to maintain his star status.

Doyle is as reliable as they come and proved as much for the second season in a row in 2017. It led to his first Pro Bowl selection even if he didn’t have much to compete within the room.

Counting on him to produce the same fantasy numbers might be difficult but it should also be noted the tight end position is expected to be used heavily in Frank Reich’s new offense.

That alone can counter the arrival of Ebron to keep Doyle a fantasy relevant tight end as he works as the starter in the room.

It isn’t clear what kind of campaign is shaping up for Doyle but even if Ebron is used a good bit, Reich’s offense should keep the former relevant enough to secure his spot as a late-round pick in drafts.

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